A heavy rain watch is in place for parts of the upper North Island. Photo: 123RF
MetService has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of the Bay of Plenty and for Taupō, with warnings rain could be torrential, with possible flash flooding and dangerous driving conditions in places.
Early on Sunday evening MetService issued the Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the Bay of Plenty based on real-time information from observations of the thunderstorms on its weather radar.
About 6pm, MetService said: "MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Taupō, Wairakei and Mokai. These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the east, and are expected to lie near Taupō, Wairakei, Orakei Korako and Broadlands at 6.15pm and near Taupō, Wairakei and Orakei Koraka at 6.45pm.
"These thunderstorms are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain."
Earlier in the evening, MetService was tracking the severe thunderstorms: "near Kawerau, Rotoehu and Rotoiti. ... moving towards the east-north-east, and expected to lie near Kawarau, Edgecumbe, Te Toki, Rotoehu and Otakiri at 5.30pm, and near Kawarau, Edgecumbe, Awakeri, Te Teko and Otakiri at 6pm."
The Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane also had a Heavy Rain Watch, for the period until 10am Monday.
For Taupō, the Severe Thunderstorm Warning had also been issued based on what could be seen of the storm as it was happening, on the weather radar.
"MetService weather radar detected severe thunderstorms near Taupō and Wairakei.
"These severe thunderstorms are moving towards the east and... are expected to be accompanied by torrential rain."
While a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was also posted, for the period until 9pm Sunday, for Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, and Taupō.
Heavy Rain Watch for Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua
The cyclone-drenched Coromandel Peninsula was also warned it could get another dousing, along with parts of Bay of Plenty west of Whakatane and Rotorua.
A Heavy Rain Watch was issued for these areas, until 10am Monday.
MetService said these areas could expect heavy rain and possible downpours and thunderstorms from Sunday afternoon until 10am Monday morning.
"There is some uncertainty regarding the rainfall amounts, and a heavy rain watch is in force," MetService said.
"People in these areas are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts."